The Cats prevailed behind guts and skill but here's what we learnt from the comeback win over the Bulldogs.

Mr Shutdown

Since returning from injury, Jake Kolodjashnij has slotted perfectly into the Cats backline as a shutdown defender. After blanketing Tex Walker in his 200th game last weekend, Kolodjashnij was tasked with stopping Bulldog Mitch Wallis on Friday night. Wallis has been in incredible form recently having booted 10 goals in his last five games. Kolodjashnij was hyper focussed on the task at hand on Friday night keeping Wallis to six disposals and no goals whilst having eight disposals and three inside 50s himself.  

Cheers Tuoh you

For all the fun Zach Tuohy made of his injury on Friday night his effort was, as described by Chris Scott, warrior-like. With injured ribs, Tuohy was unable to throw himself into contests (hence the zero contested possessions) but his two plays in the final quarter where he squared the ball inside to Rhys Stanley and followed up with a pinpoint pass to Tom Hawkins to put the Cats in front showed that his worth was huge. Game 199 might not be Tuohy’s favourite, but the effort he put in won over the Cats fans for life.

A sprinkle of Selwood

It is an undisputable fact that Joel Selwood can never be replaced. But the captain’s effort that Patrick Dangerfield put in on Friday night was reminiscent of his good mate and captain. We can laud Danger over his 32 disposals including 20 of them contested, but it was his willingness to get dirty and drag his team with him that was the brightest spark for the Cats. In 30 minutes opposed to Dogs superstar Marcus Bontempelli, Danger had 12 disposals to his opponent’s two showing his ability to win the ball and defend his opponent. His play of the night, however, was a lunging spoil in the dying moments to stop a Bulldogs forward foray.

Rising Rhys

Many, many Cats are getting their rightful plaudits for impressive seasons but one who may be missing out on some is ruckman Rhys Stanley. Consistency in the ruck has been an issue the Cats have explored for a long time but at the moment you can’t fault Stanley’s attitude and work rate. He finished Friday night with 16 disposals, 19 hitouts, three clearances and a goal. This season he’s rated elite for marks inside 50, shots at goal and inside 50s showing that he’s able to push forward well with Mark Blicavs covering the around the ground work. A fit and firing Rhys Stanley is huge to the Cats chances in 2020.